With all the discussion about illegal immigrants and
problems along the Mexican border you would think more movies would be made
about the topic. The only problem is if that happened then sides would be
taken, arguments would follow and according to the press mass hysteria would
occur. So when this movie arrived I wasn’t sure what to make of it but I’m glad
I got to see it. Rather than take sides on the issues it tells a story instead
and that’s a good sign of a well-made movie.
Claudia (Veronica Sixtos) is an illegal immigrant living in
living in the US with her mother and making a living via credit card fraud and
identity theft. Living beyond her means in what seems to be a soulless stupor
she is caught by the FBI and deported across the border to live with her
father, Andres (Julio Cedillo). Andres has not been a big part of Claudia’s
life in the past and he has little sympathy for her nor intentions of taking it
easy on her. His ranch is a hard lifestyle to change too and the work isn’t
easy but he expects her to carry her own load.
All the while Claudia thinks of nothing but returning across
the border illegally and back to the US. Andres has his ranch hand Arturo take
Claudia with him to work on the fences. While out at a far end of the ranch
Arturo sees a car headed for them and runs for a nearby hill. In the car is
Ricky (Roberto Urbina), a smuggler that Arturo works for on the side. Having
stolen from him Ricky and his men have every intention of killing Arturo and
Claudia leaving no witnesses behind. When Claudia offers her services to Ricky
to help him do the job assigned to Arturo he agrees and leaves with Arturo tied
to the back of his car.
As the movie progresses Claudia continues to seem to have no
life inside of her. While her father constantly argues with her Claudia’s
grandmother tells him he needs patience and to guide her. Claudia goes from
helping Ricky to sharing his bed, all with the hopes of making enough money and
a connection with him that he’ll smuggle her back across the border. It’s a
deadly game and one she might not survive, especially when the military shows
to put an end to the border smuggling operation. Just who will survive and the
question of Claudia finding her soul make for an interesting film.
As I said from the start what really made this film
interesting was the fact that it took the issues of border security and illegal
immigrants and turned it on its head, not taking one side or the other and
discussing both the lure of coming to America (taking a part of the vast wealth
possible there) and the story of a young woman who is so caught up in her
desire to live the high life that she never thinks further than her own needs
and how she matures before the film ends. By taking on these issues rather than
those most would expect we have a fleshed out story rather than rhetoric from
one side or the other on the political aspects of the concept. In the end while
each of those issues posed are discussed the film provokes one to consider
those political ideas at the same time in a back door sort of way.
The film is well made and looks great. The performances from
actors I for one am unfamiliar with were so well done that you never thought
you were watching anyone act, they seemed to be the roles they were playing. There
are some scenes of sexuality that some might be bothered by but the majority of
people will simply gloss over; that being said it is definitely not a movie for
children. But for those willing to watch this film you will find yourself
engrossed in the story of Claudia and her family and think more when it comes
to the issues of the border.
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